Questions tagged [darth-vader]
For questions about the character "Darth Vader", the primary antagonist in the original Star Wars films. Only use for questions about the character himself and not for those that simply mention him. Always use in conjunction with the [star-wars] tag and any other relevant work tags.
267
questions
157
votes
18
answers
358k
views
Why did Darth Vader die in Return of the Jedi?
At the end of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Luke had beaten Darth Vader in a duel, but didn't seem to injure the latter critically — all Luke did was sever Vader's right hand, which was a prosthetic ...
- 2,817
152
votes
15
answers
37k
views
Was Darth Vader REALLY a Sith?
Two there should be; no more, no less. One to embody power, the other to crave it. ― Darth Bane
Did Darth Vader REALLY crave power? After thinking about the films a bit I realized that Darth Vader ...
- 9,190
104
votes
3
answers
15k
views
Did Darth Vader wear the same suit for 20+ years?
Darth Vader donned his iconic suit from his defeat on Mustafar to his death on the Death Star II, a little over 20 years. Was he wearing the exact same suit that whole time? Did he have any backup ...
- 51.4k
103
votes
13
answers
27k
views
Why was Darth Vader so careless?
I have been wondering for some time why Darth Vader, one of the leading officers of the Empire, repeatedly put himself into such danger?
To name a few cases, in A New Hope, he boarded Tantive IV, a ...
- 1,343
95
votes
3
answers
25k
views
Since when has Darth Vader had a sense of humor?
After Force-choking Director Krennic, Darth Vader makes the comment
Be careful not to choke on your aspirations, Director.
This comment displays a sense of humor that seems entirely out of ...
- 3,291
85
votes
4
answers
56k
views
What is written on Darth Vader's Chest control panel?
As I said on the blog, I finally went to the Star Wars Identities Exhibition in Montreal.
There, I took this photo of Darth Vader's Chest control panel (You could get it in higher resolution here) :
...
- 95.7k
80
votes
5
answers
19k
views
Out of Universe, was Vader always planned to be Luke's father?
I was watching the original series and got to "I am your father". I thought: is this something the author planned all along or thought of while writing The Empire Strikes Back?
- 1,242
80
votes
11
answers
89k
views
Why did Obi-Wan leave Vader on Mustafar?
When Obi-Wan defeats Vader on Mustafar, he leaves Vader alive. Sure, he's missing his legs and has just caught on fire; but when Obi-Wan walks away, Vader is still alive.
I think it's likely that ...
- 3,319
75
votes
10
answers
28k
views
Why did Palpatine care about Anakin Skywalker in the Prequels given Palpatine's pretty good Force Vision?
Why did Palpatine care about Anakin (Vader), especially when considering his powerful "future Force visions"? Palpatine organizes the framework-setting Order 66 to kill the Jedi.
It is Palpatine who ...
- 836
74
votes
2
answers
110k
views
Is there a story behind the misquote, "Luke, I am your father"?
I've wondered for a long time how a misquote of the famous reveal in The Empire Strikes Back crystalized in pop culture history rather than Vader's actual line:
No, I am your father.
How did the ...
- 13.4k
73
votes
8
answers
10k
views
Is Vader sincere with Luke in ESB?
Near the end of Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader has a big proposal for Luke:
"Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your
destiny! Join me, and together, we can rule the ...
- 999
72
votes
9
answers
64k
views
Why didn't Vader let Luke kill the Emperor, or even kill him himself?
As we saw here, Vader made this proposal to Luke:
Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny! Join me, and together, we can rule the galaxy as father and son! Come ...
- 95.7k
71
votes
8
answers
51k
views
Why Did Sidious Tell Vader Who Luke Was?
In the ret-con version of Episode V (The Empire Strikes Back), the scene between Darth Vader and Darth Sidious (at the time of the changes, still only known as the Emperor) was changed so Sidious ...
- 107k
68
votes
5
answers
16k
views
Why didn't Yoda or Obi-Wan tell Luke the truth about his father?
Is the reason neither Yoda or Obi-Wan thought it a good idea to inform Luke that
ever discussed? Were they hoping that
didn't realize this, and that it wouldn't come up? Or was there an explicit ...
- 1,575
67
votes
6
answers
21k
views
When did Obi-Wan Kenobi learn that Anakin was "dead"?
Obi-Wan left Anakin for dead, and one movie later (in A New Hope) he was saying Anakin had been killed by Darth Vader.
What exactly did Obi-Wan know about Anakin and Darth Vader before A New Hope ...
- 3,629
65
votes
5
answers
18k
views
How did Darth Vader know the rebel base was on Hoth?
In The Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader looks at a picture of a shield generator on an ice planet and declares that's the rebel base. How could he know merely by looking at the picture from the probe? ...
- 38.5k
65
votes
9
answers
28k
views
The use of 'Darth' as Vader's name, not title, in Star Wars
I watched Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope for the first time in a while a few days ago (the first step in taking my Daughter through the Machete Order). One thing that stood out was the pre-duel ...
- 3,485
64
votes
6
answers
17k
views
When did Darth Vader get his red lightsaber?
Between Episodes III and IV, when and how did Darth Vader obtain/construct his red lightsaber?
- 142k
59
votes
3
answers
13k
views
Did Vader ever learn that Sidious controlled both sides in the Clone Wars?
Considering that Dooku, Grievous, and Nute Gunray are dead at the end of Revenge of the Sith, would there have been any way for Anakin to learn that Palpatine controlled both sides?
- 589
58
votes
7
answers
49k
views
How did Vader saving Luke turn him to the good side?
Couldn't Vader save his son and continue being a Sith Lord? Couldn't he have let Luke go and basically become the Emperor and have the Galaxy to himself? I don't think killing the Emperor to save your ...
- 2,129
58
votes
9
answers
18k
views
Why didn't Obi-Wan refer to Darth Vader as Anakin during the Death Star duel?
During their fight on the Death Star in A New Hope, Obi-Wan refers to Darth Vader as "Darth" a couple of times.
"Only a master of evil, Darth"
"You can't win Darth"
In ...
- 15.8k
58
votes
2
answers
38k
views
Why did Palpatine pick 'Vader' as a name for Anakin?
When Anakin turned to the Dark Side Darth Sidious obviously saw fit to give him a new name:
PALPATINE: Henceforth you shall be known as Darth...Vader.
ANAKIN: Thank you, my master.
I've seen the ...
- 61.6k
55
votes
8
answers
27k
views
Why did Darth Vader choose to take shots from Han Solo?
In Episode V, in Cloud City, Lando Calrissian brings Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca into an trap, where Darth Vader is sitting in a room. Han immediately takes his gun out and shoots at Vader.
...
- 15.3k
55
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Why were the Imperials rude to Vader in the beginning of A New Hope?
It was my understanding that Vader was the second in command of the Emperor in the Empire.
However in the beginning of the movie one of the generals taunts Vader that his abilities in the Force have ...
- 23.5k
52
votes
5
answers
69k
views
Origin of Darth Vader's name
Who came up with the name Darth Vader? According to Wiktionary (apparently Darth Vader now warrants a dictionary entry meaning "a malevolent, dominating and threatening force" :o):
Derived from the ...
- 9,074
52
votes
5
answers
32k
views
What did the general public know about Darth Vader?
When Darth Vader first becomes Palpatine's apprentice, very few know of his existence and connection to the Emperor: the members of the Trade Federation (whom he dispatches) and Yoda, Kenobi, Organa, ...
- 28.8k
51
votes
6
answers
33k
views
Why is Vader suddenly a terrible fighter in Return of the Jedi?
In Empire Strikes Back, Vader nearly kills Luke without hardly seeming to try. Then, in Return of the Jedi, Vader hardly fights at all and he's falling down and then Luke cuts his prosthetic hand off. ...
- 1,137
50
votes
4
answers
30k
views
Does Darth Vader eat?
As far as I know, Darth Vader is never shown eating after he receives his injuries and armor. The closest we get is the fact he shows up for what is, ostensibly, a dinner party on Cloud City:
He ...
- 1,890
50
votes
1
answer
13k
views
Why did George Lucas ban David Prowse (actor of Darth Vader) from appearing at Star Wars conventions?
According to Wikipedia, George Lucas banned David Prowse in 2010 from attending official Star Wars fan conventions. He reportedly gave no reason why other than Prowse "burnt too many bridges"...
user89104
50
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Why was Darth Vader more of a Jedi than Anakin?
Let's compare 2 people, both named Anakin. The first one is a slave boy from Tatooine. He is extremely talented, and uses his intense passion to get victory over his enemies, which is very symbolic of ...
- 1,708
49
votes
3
answers
14k
views
Is there an in-universe explanation given to the senior Imperial Navy Officers as to why Darth Vader serves Emperor Palpatine?
Answers can be from Canon or Legends.
TL;DR: How do the senior Imperial Navy Officers with experience in the Clone Wars account for why a powerful force-using 'baddie' like Vader not only does not ...
- 6,357
49
votes
2
answers
7k
views
What is Darth Vader holding on the cover of the original Star Wars novelization?
On the cover of some versions of Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader is holding something in his hand.
It seems to be comprised of some strings with multicolored objects ...
- 66.7k
49
votes
9
answers
21k
views
What exactly did Darth Vader leave unfinished that Kylo Ren intended to finish?
In a Star Wars: The Force Awakens TV Spot there is a scene of Kylo Ren saying "I will finish what you've started" to Darth Vader's mask.
Do we know what exactly Kylo Ren means? What does he want to ...
- 1,866
49
votes
1
answer
13k
views
At the end of Return of the Jedi, did Darth Vader learn that Princess Leia was his daughter?
During the scene where he fought against Luke, at the end of Return of the Jedi, Darth Vader says
Darth Vader: Give yourself to the Dark Side. It is the only way you can save your friends. Yes, ...
- 1,689
48
votes
13
answers
172k
views
Why doesn't Darth Vader recognize C-3PO?
Similar to this question:
Why doesn't Owen Lars recognize C-3PO during ANH?
There are a couple of occasions during the original trilogy (Episodes IV, V, VI) where Darth Vader and C-3PO encounter one ...
- 19.9k
46
votes
7
answers
14k
views
If Anakin Skywalker didn't get what he wanted as a Sith (to save Padmé), why was he still a Sith?
In the prequels, the primary reason Anakin was willing to become the Chancellor's apprentice is because he wanted to save Padmé;
ANAKIN: I will do whatever you ask.
PALPATINE: Good.
...
- 561
46
votes
6
answers
82k
views
How did Anakin learn how to become a ghost after his death?
Qui-Gon discovered how to become a force ghost after death and talk to the living (if they are receptive). At the end of episode 3, Yoda had learned that from him and told Obi-Wan that he would teach ...
- 888
46
votes
7
answers
163k
views
Did Darth Vader know that this character was his daughter from the start?
When Darth Vader and Princess Leia meet on board the Tantive IV in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope for the first time, does Darth Vader know she's his daughter?
- 609
45
votes
7
answers
29k
views
Why was Darth Vader called Lord Vader?
In episodes three, four, five and six of Star Wars Darth Vader is sometimes called Lord Vader. What does this title, "Lord", represent?
At this point in the Star Wars history knowledge of the Jedi is ...
- 61.5k
44
votes
1
answer
31k
views
How did Obi-Wan know Darth Vader was Anakin?
As noted in this question (similar, but not duplicate), Obi-Wan did know that Anakin was not dead, and that he was, in fact, Darth Vader. In this question, it is clear that the fact that Anakin was ...
- 16.4k
44
votes
2
answers
28k
views
Has Darth Vader ever worn a different suit than his traditional black one?
After Obi-Wan Kenobi defeated Darth Vader and left him for dead by the lava river on a volcanic world, Sidious rescued him and put him into the familiar full-body black suit.
Has Darth Vader ever ...
- 38.5k
43
votes
7
answers
25k
views
Why would Darth Vader find someone's lack of faith (in the power of the Dark Side) disturbing?
I find your lack of faith disturbing
- Darth Vader
What a great Quote! This inspired his own meme.
But does it make any sense?
Why would the fact that an officer didn't believe in the force ...
- 95.7k
43
votes
7
answers
20k
views
In episode IV, A New Hope, why did Obi-wan wait till Luke showed up, then let Vader kill him?
Did Obi-wan find it important to have Luke see it? Isn't that setting him up to fall to the Dark Side?
- 433
42
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Were Palpatine or Vader ever congratulatory or nice to any of their subordinates?
In the movies, there is not a lot of gratitude thrown around, in fact, quite the opposite:
Why would I want to get promoted in the Empire if that just meant I would ...
- 1,097
42
votes
4
answers
17k
views
What and how does Darth Vader see?
Are there any sources that talk about about Darth Vader's visual acuity?
His life-supporting armour is quite advanced but does it provide any useful augmentation to his visual abilities?
- 531
42
votes
4
answers
11k
views
Did Captain Needa die in The Empire Strikes Back?
Did Darth Vader actually kill or just stun Captain Lorth Needa?
My question comes from when I read could I fake death to stop being Force-choked? or more specifically this comment by onewho which in ...
42
votes
2
answers
52k
views
Did Vader actually kill Obi-Wan?
So I was looking at this question: Did Obi-Wan need to sacrifice himself to Vader?
And it occurred to me... did Vader actually kill Obi-Wan?
At the end of the fight, Obi-Wan lifts his lightsaber and ...
- 6,187
41
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Who invented Darth Vader? George Lucas or George McFly?
In Back to the Future, Marty famously frightens his father into action in 1955 by pretending to be Darth Vader from the planet Vulcan:
Presumably, Star Trek and Star ...
- 110k
40
votes
4
answers
17k
views
For how long was Darth Vader alone in space?
Darth Vader's TIE fighter was spun out into space at the end of Ep.IV and I always wondered how long it took him to limp into a space station or back to some civilization. I imagined his suit being ...
- 3,756
40
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Did Vader ever face another Force user in aerial/space combat, aside from Luke in Ep. IV?
The formerly canonical book Shadows of the Empire (set between the end of The Empire Strikes Back and the beginning of Return of the Jedi) contains the following passage:
Vader had forgotten how ...
- 68.8k